Kindness Matters

By Lucy DelSarto, Wellness Educator & Coach

I’ve learned one of the quickest ways to snap out of an unpleasant mood is to realize there is always someone whose situation is worse than mine. When I follow that thought with an intentional mind shift and do a Random Act of Kindness, I find my mood will dramatically improve.

An Attitude of Gratitude
Embracing an attitude of gratitude awakens your heart and soul. The secret is in being content and understanding the power of now. Nothing happens in the past or the future – it happens in the now.

I believe life is a series of moments and agree with Maria Edgeworth’s statement that, “If we take care of the moments, the years will take care of themselves and fall into place.” I also believe that we reap what we sow and by planting seeds of kindness, trust and love, our world becomes a better place in which to live.

February 9-15 is Random Acts of Kindness Week
For a healthier state of mind, I encourage everyone to practice Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) every day of the year. Everyone enjoys being the recipient of a sincere compliment or a kind gesture. Each of us has the ability to make another person’s day better with a few simple words or an act of kindness. (www.randomactsofkindness.org/RAK_week)

Choose to fuel positivity and be the change you want to see in this world. If attitudes are contagious, make yours one worth catching. Psychologist and best-selling author, Wayne Dyer, clarifies attitude with his quote, “Loving people live in a loving world. Hostile people live in a hostile world. Same world.”

Train Your Mind
Your health and well-being are determined by your perspectives. The true meaning of wellness encompasses many areas of your life including: physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual.

In an effort to emphasize the importance of self-care, my mantra poses a powerful question, “If you don’t take care of your body, where will you live?”

TCOY is an acronym for Take Care of You. Diet and exercise are key elements for good health; however, the battlefield really exists in our mind. Our thoughts direct our actions. TCOY is a philosophy and way of life that requires training your mind to:
• find the positive in all situations and be wise in
your choices
• be intentional with your actions
• embrace life with an attitude of gratitude
• seek to serve and empower others

If nothing changes, nothing changes. You must learn a new way to think before you can master a new way to be. A new perspective put into action makes a difference, not only in your life but in the lives of others.

Kindness is a No-Cost Solution
How often do you find yourself rushing to get from one place or task to another? Do you feel your stress level rise due to time constraints? Are you annoyed by the slightest interruption? How compassionate are you toward others while waiting in line or in traffic?

By changing your mindset, altering your attitude, and adopting a new approach to the use of your time, you create an intentional plan to reduce stress.

My recommendation is to add a few Random Acts of Kindness throughout your day and watch things improve. Acknowledging others with a kind gesture such as a nod, a wave or a smile; opening or holding the door for someone; giving support or encouragement with a hug; lending a helping hand; or taking the time to genuinely ask another person how their day is going are good examples of acts of kindness.

By planting seeds of kindness you are releasing positivity into the universe and that is always a good thing. A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.

The psychological side of wellness is your thoughts that bring about actions, which can strengthen or weaken your health. Every day provides opportunities to boost your well-being. Random Acts of Kindness are selfless actions. It’s not a matter of thinking less of yourself; it’s thinking of yourself less.

My Challenge To You
My challenge to you is to step outside your comfort zone and greet people with a smile and a kind word. I believe the “pay it forward” movement ignites a spark that can start a fire of positivity.

Want more joy? Live more in the now and practice Random Acts of Kindness. The toughest people to love are the ones who need it most and you may effect a change in their attitude by showing them respect, courtesy and kindness. You will experience joy when you have done something for someone who can never repay you.

Lucy founded TCOY (Take Care of You) Wellness in 1999. She is a former Professional Athlete ranked in the “Top 16” in the world on the Women’s Pro Racquetball Tour with 30+ years of coaching, including four years at Stanford University. Lucy remains active in racquetball mentoring and competing in the top men’s divisions and has held the Kansas Women’s Open Singles Title since 1999.